New ride-hailing service to launch in Victoria
Canadian ride-hailing company Uride has received its business license in Victoria, clearing the way for a September launch.
The ride-hailing company received approval earlier this year from the Passenger Transportation Board to operate in the Capital Regional District on the island, but needed a business licence from the City of Victoria before it could begin offering rides.
With this final hurdle cleared, Uride will be able to pick up anywhere with in the city with drop offs at any location in the region, allowing it to focus on Victoria before it branches out to other municipalities.
“We understand that accessing reliable transportation is a struggle for the people of Victoria, and we plan on coming in and addressing that need," said Ravi Dhami, Uride’s Regional Operations Manager for Western Canada.
"We’re looking forward to providing safe, reliable and affordable transportation with the ultimate goal of eliminating impaired driving.”
In an online interview, Dhami said Thursday that the company has been operating in Kelowna since May and in Kamploos since June, with more than 100 drivers employed.
To launch its services in Victoria, Dhami said Uride is looking to hire “hundreds of drivers.”
That could be challenging given the tight labour market, but Dhami said a lack of interest is less of a deterrent to would-be drivers than the costs associated with taking on the work. So, the company is offering to cover the costs for applicants.
“We’re covering all onboarding expenses for applicants,” said Dhami. “That includes the Class 4 (driver's licence) knowledge test, the road test, the licensing upgrades in general, the vulnerable sector checks that you need, commercial vehicle inspections. We’re covering all those costs.”
Uride is Victoria’s second ride-hailing service, after Lucky to Go.
The new company plans to begin service in Nanaimo by the end of the year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man books $7,700 luxury villa on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he was charged more than $7,700 to book a luxury villa on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.